Region: Mbeya
Access: By road
Attractions: Kijungu and God's bridge
Activities: Sightseeing
Accommodation: Available nearby
Best time to visit: All year round
Useful link: God’s Bridge - Daraja la Mungu
Formed naturally when water from the Kiwira River, which was pouring from the Uporoto Mountains, collided with lava from Mt. Rungwe
Kiwira River is a prominent attraction just outside Tukuyu town. The locals have several beliefs concerning the river and its beautiful attractions. The river is known to boast some beautiful natural attractions such as waterfalls, rapids, and the famous Kijungu basin and Daraja la Mungu. The Kijungu basin has a “pot-like” shape and creates a whirlpool before continuing its journey down the rocks for about 8 km to Daraja la Mungu. This bridge is thought to have been formed, naturally, many years ago when water from the Kiwira River, which was pouring from the Uporoto Mountains, collided with lava from Mt. Rungwe
There is a myth among some locals that at the two attractions – Kijungu and Daraja la Mungu – a dragon guards treasures in the riverbed and sacrifices people by dropping them into the river. They say anyone who tried to jump across the river perished because it suddenly widened during the jump
The bridge had been used by the locals for ages, moving from one village to another, until the early 1960s when the Russians built a bridge nearby as they were exploring building a hydroelectric power plant around the area
Kiwira River is a prominent attraction just outside Tukuyu town. The locals have several beliefs concerning the river and its beautiful attractions. The river is known to boast some beautiful natural attractions such as waterfalls, rapids, and the famous Kijungu basin and Daraja la Mungu. The Kijungu basin has a “pot-like” shape and creates a whirlpool before continuing its journey down the rocks for about 8 km to Daraja la Mungu. This bridge is thought to have been formed, naturally, many years ago when water from the Kiwira River, which was pouring from the Uporoto Mountains, collided with lava from Mt. Rungwe
There is a myth among some locals that at the two attractions – Kijungu and Daraja la Mungu – a dragon guards treasures in the riverbed and sacrifices people by dropping them into the river. They say anyone who tried to jump across the river perished because it suddenly widened during the jump
The bridge had been used by the locals for ages, moving from one village to another, until the early 1960s when the Russians built a bridge nearby as they were exploring building a hydroelectric power plant around the area
There is a myth among some locals that at the two attractions – Kijungu and Daraja la Mungu – a dragon guards treasures in the riverbed and sacrifices people by dropping them into the river
Interesting facts about Kijungu & Daraja la Mungu
- The rock forming the bridge is about 40m long and 3m wide
- The bridge is reliable enough to carry several herds of cattle from one village to another
- The name Daraja la Mungu, meaning God’s Bridge, was derived by the locals for the bridge because of its Godly formation
Getting to Kijungu & Daraja la Mungu
After traveling for one hour from Mbeya City along the Mbeya – Kyela route, the road branches off at the settlement of Keikei just after Kiwira town. From there one can reach these two sights by traveling for about 10 kilometers down a dusty road that also leads to Kiwira Prisons Training College. To get to the attractions you’ll need to go through the camp, so you’ll need to sign and better to at least have a guide with you. The road can be easily reached by non-4WD cars (can be tricky during rainy seasons). Tukuyu is full of vegetation, so as drive down the road you’ll be greeted by wonderful scenery on the roadsides
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